Yakima, Washington - Jean Simard, age 94, passed away and joined her husband, Gus, on April 6, 2025, with family at her side. Jean Sauve was born on July 24, 1930, in Yakima, Washington. She was the third of eight children, born to Isidore and Celestine (Sally) Sauve, of Moxee, Washington.

Her early years were spent growing up in the Moxee area, attending Holy Rosary School, all twelve years, graduating in1948. On October 16, 1948, believing in "love thy neighbor," Jean married her neighbor, Gus Simard, the love of her life for 62 years. Jean knew she was blessed with a wonderful husband and loved him completely. She had six children and was a stay-at-home mom, for the first 20 years of her married life. We remember getting the giggles wit Mom, laughing til we cried. Mom loved babies! She was thrilled to welcome each of her 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and her great-great-grandson.

Mom loved camping, soap operas, game shows, playing cards, and gambling at the casinos. After working part time at the Snokist Cannery for 33 years, she enjoyed traveling with Dad. They spent several years as snowbirds and took a trip once around the U.S. in the motorhome. They also enjoyed trips to Mexico, Hawaii, and several cruises.

Mom's talents included sewing, cooking and baking. She sewed her daughter's doll clothes prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, a bridal gown, as well as her mother-of-the-bride dresses. She loved making French Canadian recipes and special desserts. We all loved her crepes, ragout, tortiere, sucre-crème pie, and date pudding with lots of whipped cream. She delighted in making each family member their favorite meal and/or dessert on their birthdays for many years.

Over the years, she was president of the Holy Rosary Altar Society, a member of her parish guild, her parish Renew group, and the choir. She was an Eucharist minister, until her health declined. Mom was devoted to her family and her faith, praying the rosary daily, for as long as she was able.

She is survived by her children, Julie (Bruce) Allen, Shari (Keith) Qunell, both of Yakima, Jan (Doug) McDonald of Raymond, Peggy Poole of Selah, Scott (Chris) Simard of North Carolina, Lori (Edward) Voakes of Portland, 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. she is also survived by her brother, Lynn (Lita) Sauve, and sisters, Maxine Flynn, Darlene McHenry, and Caren (Ron) Benny, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gus, her parents, her sister, Annette Connelly, and spouse, Dick, her brothers, Kenneth and Gerald Suave, and their spouses, Lorraine and Marge, and by one granddaughter, Megan Allen Tracy.

Our family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Summitview Healthcare Center, who took care of Mom since her stroke in 2017. They loved her sense of humor. She definitely kept them entertained, sometimes to the point of their blushing. You never knew what was going to come out of her mouth!

A Rosary will be said prior to her Memorial Mass, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 10:30am, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00am.

Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.